Ball return mechanism



Jan l 1957 R. L HOLLOWAY ll-:T AL I2,776,138

BALL RETURN MEcHANIsM Filed June 24, 195o 4 shee'ts-sneet 1 INVENTOR i t' nnl/ QQ f .Q 776 762ml al ROBERT L. HoLLowAY 152 I l ALFRED E LEvENDosKl 75 r JL- BYLEoPoLD sTRAuss l "A" f 144 8- M4 6% ATTORNE 38 143 190 186" 5464 3 1 wad Jari l, 1957 R. l. HoLLowAY ET AL 2,776,138

BALL. RETURN MECHANISM Filed June 24, 1950 4 Sheets-SheerI 2 FIG.2 l155 l l rl INVENTOR 760 742 "l 755 ROBERT L. HoLLowAY I ALFRED E. LEvENDosKl f, BYLEoPoLo STR-Auss ATTONE Jan-1, 1957 R.A HoLLowAY ET AL 2,776,138

- BALL. RETURN MECHANISM h INVENTOR ROBERT L.HoLL.owAY

ALFRED E. LEvENoosKl BYLEoPoLD sTRAuss ATTORN Jan. 1, `1\957 R. L .YHoLLowAY ET AL 2,776,138 y BALL RETURN MECHANISM Filed June 24, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 l INVENTOR ROBERT L. HOLLOWAY ALFRED E. LEVENDOSKI A BYLEoPoLD sTRAuss ATTOR EY nited States Patent 4American Machine & Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jersey l Application June 24, 195o, serial No. 170,162 Y 21 claims. (o1. 213-49) 'Ihis invention relates to the art of bowling, and more particularly to improved mechanism for removing bowling balls from the pit of a bowling alley and delivering them to a ball return runway for return to a player at the head of a bowling alley.

In present daybowling alleys, and especially in bowling alleys where pins are set manually, considerable eiort must be expended by a pin boy in lifting a bowling ball from the pit of a bowling alley and placing it on the ball return runway for delivery to a player at the head of the alley.

ln the game of bowling, and more particularly `in tenpin bowling, the bowling ball is removed from thepit of an alley after each ball of a frame is rolled. means that manyA times during each game, a single ball, weighing approximately sixteen pounds, is lifted about `four feet, placed upon the ball return runway, and given a push, whence it rolls along the runway vdown an .inclined portion and back to the player. It will be evident, therefore, that over a prolonged period of time when several players are bowling, Aa pin boy expends `considerable eiiort in lifting the ball for return to one or more players. l

The present invention makes it unnecessary for a pin boy to do more than kick or push the bowling ball to one side of the pit'of an alley to suitable guides, such as an opening in a kickback or side plate of the ball lift, where the ball rolls into the ball lifting mechanism, is rapidly and positively elevated, and delivered onto the ball return runway for return to the player. Due to the present invention, the ball lift is always ready for operation and the entire operation of raising the ball is etectedautomatically, and when the ball is ejected from the ball lifting mechanism, it is propelled along the return runway where it rolls down an inclined portion thereof and is returned by the runway to the player. l

The mechanism comprising this invention can -be used with a single bowling alley, or if desired, with two sideby-side bowling alleys. In the latter case, the ball lifting mechanism is located between the spaced kickbacks of -two adjacent alleys so that bowling balls from: either alley can be delivered in any suitable` manner either manually or mechanically through suitable openings in the kickbacks or by suitable guides into the range ofoperation of the ball lifting mechanism, and be lifted thereby and delivered to a common ball return` runway which .serves both alleys.

VIn general, the ball lifting mechanism constituting the invention consists of a stationary ball guide or trackhav- ,ing spaced therefrom a ball engaging and lifting member such as an endless belt so mounted` that whena `ball is positioned between the guide and the belt, thebelt.' is moved toward the guide and grips the ball.y The ball Vis then held rmly by the operating lap of the -belt and rolled rapidly upwardly along the guide or track,` and de- .livered onto the ball return runway positioned. to lreceive it. j

An important feature of the invention is the provision 2,776,138 Patented Jan. 1, 1957 ICC of a continuously operating ball lift which is always ready to return a ball as s oon as it is positioned in the range of operation of the ball lift means. This means that while one ball is being discharged from the ball lift, another ball is being moved upwardly for delivery therefrom. This feature is of especial value when the mechanism is used with two alleys since it results in a more rapid `return of balls to players, and hence cuts down playing time, with a resulting increase in the number of games played on eachl alley.

It isl an object of our invention to provide an improved ball lifting mechanism for use with one or more bowling alleys.

VIt is a further object of our invention to provide improved ball lifting mechanism having ball engaging and lifting instrumentalities located in the space between the kickbacks of two bowling alleys and to so operate the ball lifting instrumentalities that each ball delivered into the lrange of operation thereof is positively engaged thereby and rolled upwardly to a point of discharge at the top or above the kickbacks and delivered onto a ball return runway mounted in position to receive a ball as it is ejected from the ball lifting instrumentalities.

The invention also consists in the provision of a novel ball lifting and return mechanism consisting of an elongated substantially vertical ball track having a curved ball receiving lower end and an endless belt having a ball engaging lap extending upwardly in a generally parallel relationship with said track and means for mounting theeudless conveyor in such manner that it can be moved into operating relationship with a ball located adjacent the curved ball receiving portion of the track `wherethe lap of the belt frictionally engages, firmly grips the ball, and rolls it upwardly along the track to a point of dischargeadjacent the top of a kickback onto a ball vreturn mounted to receive the ball whence it rolls along the return runway to a player.

` A further object of the invention is to provide a novel elevating and return mechanism provided with an upwardly inclined ball return track and an endless conveyor belt, preferably continuously driven, supported by a frame arranged to be gravity biased towards the track for :engaging a lap of the belt with .a ball entering into the range of operation of the belt and track after being moved through an opening in the side of the ball lift from the pit of a single bowling alley, or through one of the openings in the sides of the ball lift from the pit of either of two adjacent bowling alleys having kickbacks between which the ball lift is located.

The invention is further characterized by the provision of a novel ball return machanism consisting of an upwardly directed ball return track and a ball moving device coacting therewith such that when a ball is moved through. an opening in the kickback'of either of the alleys between which the ball lift device is positioned, the ball will be engaged by the ball lifting device and rolled rapidlyv upwardly and discharged onto the ball return 4runway common to both side-by-side positioned alleys.

b'elt' upwardly along the track to a point of discharge where as 'the ball is delivered onto a suitable ball return runway, the belt propels the ball onto the return runway and accelerates its return movement to a player.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned 4in View, the invention consists in certain combinations and constructions which will be hereinafter fully described, and then set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specificati-on, and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

Figure l is a side elevation, partly in section illustrating a preferred embodiment of -the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional plan view taken on line 2-2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a sectional end elevation taken on line 3 3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is an end elevation taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 1 showing a device for manually resetting the ball lift mechanism;

Figure 7 illustrates a suitable wiring diagram which can be used in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 for operating fthe conveyor intermittently;

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the operation of a preferred form of the invention in which a ball has tripped the toggle operating mechanism allowing the ball lift conveyor to move into operative engagement with a ball positioned for lifting;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view similar to Figure 8 in which the ball shown in Figure 8 about to be discharged from the lift, has forced the conveyor back resetting the toggle preparatory to the lifting of the ball positioned on the treadle, the toggle being again broken as soon as the lifted ball is ejected by the belt onto a return runway;

Figure 10 is a side elevational view, partly in section, showing a modified form of the invention, and

Figure 1l is a view taken on line 11-11 in Figure l0.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the preferred embodiment of the invention selected for purposes of illustration is mounted for operation between two kickbacks of two adjoining bowling alleys A and B. The ends of kickbacks 20 are cut away as at 22 to provide both room for installing the ball lift and a space through which a pin boy may move back and forth from pit P of alley A to pit P of alley B in directing balls to the ball lift designated generally 25, and for spotting pins on alleys A and B. If the ball lift is used with bowling alleys on which pins are spotted by automatic machines, the kickbacks are modified only to the extent necessary to provide space for the installation of the ball lift.

Ball lift 25 preferably is positioned adjacent header board 28 and between kickbacks 20 at the front of the alley pits. If desired, the bottom of each pit P, and P', may be inclined towards header board 28 and/or towards a front corner of each pit P and P', such that balls falling therein upon pit mats 154 and 155 tend to roll towards and through openings 21 into ball lift 25.

The sides of ball lift 25 are ush with the inner walls of kickbacks 20 and therefore do not present any obstructions or projections which might be struck by and damage a ball rolling into a pit. Also, ball lift 25 is so designed that it can be installed with a minimum of modification in the limited space between kickbacks 20, and function satisfactorily. In many existing alley installations in use today, the space between kickbacks 20 is not much greater than the diameter of a ball, or approximately nine inches. The ball lift of the invention is so designed and constructed that it can be installed in limited space and raise all balls entering it success u y.

Ball lift 25 is provided with a rigid frame or housing designated generally 30 including an elongated substan tially vertical front channel member 32, and a rear elongated channel member 33 formed with a main upper section 35 and a lower section 37 rigidly attached thereto. Channels 32 and 33 are held together in frame forming relationship by means of spaced intermediate side framC members 34, upper side frame members 36, and a bottom plate member 38. As a ball is being moved upwardly by belt 84 along track 50, it may have a tendency to move laterally. Therefore in order to guide the ball properly and prevent such movement and possible damage thereto because of striking against side frame members, such as side frame members 34, there are provided vertical guide or scuffer plates 31. Each scuffer plate consists of an elongated resilient member preferably formed of rubber, which is so positioned and secured to the inner side of an intermediate side frame member 34 and to a suitable cross tie member 39, that it provides not only a guide for a ball, but also prevents any damage to it as it moves upwardly for discharge from ball lift 25. Tie member 39 has its ends suitably secured to frame member 32 and portion 35 of frame member 33. Side plates 40 and 42, and a top cover member or hood 41 having a ball discharge opening 43 and detachably secured to channels 32 and 33 and upper side frame members 36 enclose the operating parts of ball lift 25 and form a compact easily installed unit. Ball lift 25 is secured in operative arrangement between kickbacks 20 by means of brackets 44 suitably secured to rear channel 33 and bolted to kickbacks 20 (Figure 2) and by brackets 46 suitably secured to front channel 32 and bolted to kickbacks 20 (Figure 1).

The main operating parts of ball lift 25 consist of a stationary ball track designated generally S0, and a ball conveyor, such as an endless belt 84, spaced therefrom and mounted on a frame 72 for movement to and from track 50 and coacting therewith to engage and lift bowling balls, as described hereinafter.

Track 50 in the embodiment shown in Figures l, 2 and 3, is formed with a curved lower ball receiving portion 52, an elongated substantially vertical portion 54, and an outwardly directed ball delivering or discharge portion 56 from which a ball is discharged through opening 43 in cover member 41 onto a suitable ball return runway R which may be mounted upon and extend along kickbacks 20 and upon which a ball discharged from ball lift 25 rolls back to a player at the head of alleys A and B. Portions or sections 52, 54 and 56 may be integral parts of a single track 50 or may be individual sections secured together in any suitable manner to form a smooth track along which a ball may be rolled by conveyor 84.

In the embodiment selected for purposes of illustration, track 50 consists of two spaced rails 51, attached by screws 53 to flanges 58 of a channel member 60 extending along and suitably secured as by welding to the inner face of front channel member 32 (Figures 1 and 2) The curved ball receiving portion or section 52 of track 50 is supported in brackets 62 attached to flanges 58 and to the inner face of channel member 32 adjacent its bottom end (Figures 1 and 2). As indicated in Figure 1, ball receiving portion 52 of track 50 is located adjacent open ings 21 in side plates 40, 42 through which balls arc moved from pit P or P into position to be engaged by conveyor 84 and rolled along track 50. Openings 21 are formed in annular ilanged rings 23, made of any suitable material such as metal or plastic, secured to the outer faces of side plates 40 and 42 by screws 45 (Figures 1, 2 and 3). The diameter of each ring 23 is greater than the diameter of a bowling ball so that, in addition to reinforcing and providing a protecting covering preventing damage to the edges of plates 40 and 42, they also serve as guides to position a ball for proper delivery into ball lift 25.

Conveyor supporting frame 72 includes a rod 74 sldably fitted into a tube or sleeve 76. Secured within the lower end of tube 76 is rod 78 which forms a part of a fork described hereinbelow. A spring 80 located in tube 76 presses against the free end of rod 74 and the top of rod 78. The telescoping construction of frame 72 provides an automatic take-up for endless belt 84 runningy on pulleys 86 and 88 supported in frame 72,

and also properly tensions belt 84- when it is-'unniilg free, or when it is engaging and rolling a ball upwardly along track 50 for delivery onto return runway R.

Pulley 86 is mounted in the upper portion of frame 72 on stud shaft 90 supported in spaced arms 92 and 94 of fork member 93 provided with a threaded rod portion slidably seated in the upper end of hollow rod 74. The under face of a nut 75 threadably secured to the threaded rod portion of fork 93 rests on the upper end of rod 74 and supports fork 93 in assembled operative position. It will be apparent that nut 75 provides means for raising or lowering fork 93 in rod 74 in order to increase or decrease the length of frame 72, as desired. Arm 94 also functions as a bracket and has attached thereto asup' port plate 100 forming a part of housing 102 of a gear reduction motor 104. This motor preferably is driven continuously to drive shaft` 90v and pulley 86 attached thereto. In this manner belt 84` running on driven pulley 88 is continuously driven at a predetermined rate of speed and ball lift 25 is always ready for operation. If desired, pulley 86 may be driven in any other suitable manner, or pulley 88 could be the driving pulley instead of pulley 86. Driven pulley 88 is loosely mounted on a stud shaft 106 supported in the ends of arms 108 of fork 110 of which rod 78, secured in the end of tube 76, forms an integral part.

Rod 74 is prevented from turning in tube 76 by means of a cross bar 112 extending through an elongated slot 114 in rod 74. The ends of cross bar 112 are secured by bolts 116 to the ends of two semi-circular clamp members 118. When nuts 120 are tightened, clamp members 118 are held firmly on tube 76. This construction also allows rod 74. to move in and out of tube 76 a limited distance during the lifting of a ball, in accordance with the pressure exerted by a ball upon belt 84 as the latter is rolling a ball upwardly along track 50.

Frame 72 is so mounted in frame 30 that the plane of the operating lap of belt 84 is inclined towards the plane of track 50, and that track portion 56 diverges from belt 84 to allow space for the passage of a ball, and also provide for automatically resetting the ball lift for lifting the next ball. In order to achieve this desired relationship and utilize a minimum of space, frame 72 is supported at its upper end for movement to and from track 50 by means of a pair of links 122 pivotally mounted at 124 on intermediate side frame members 34. The upper ends of links 122 are formed with clamps 126 attached by screws 128 to a cross rod 130 loosely supported in a. bearing bracket 132 suitably secured, as by Welding, to the upper end of tube 76. Cross rod 130 projects through arcuate slots 133 formed in side plates 40, 42.

Attached to each end of cross rod 130 is a handle 134. If for any reason conveyor 84 is not reset automatically when a ball is lifted and discharged onto runway R, handles 134 provide means by which a pin boy can swing frame 72 rearwardly in frame 30 or to the left as viewed in Figure l when he is in pit P or P of alley A or alley B, respectively, to set or cock ball lift 25 ready for lifting the next ball delivered between belt 84 and track 50.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures l to 9 inclusive, proper belt pressure against a ball being moved by belt 84 upwardly along track 50 is maintained by a combination of the dead weight of the frame assembly including frame 72, motor 104, and belt 84, and the pressure of spring 136. The purpose of spring 194 which has one end connected to bracket 196 and the other end connected to shaft 139, is to partially counterbalance the above referred to dead weight in order that whenever a smaller ball than normal, such as a juniorsized ball, is being lifted, it will recock or reset the ball lift and thereby reposition belt 84 ready to handlel the next `ball to be lifted. The purpose of spring 136 is to maintain sutiicient pressure, belt to ball, to elevate a standard sizedball, i. e. a ball of approximately nine inches in diameter. If desired, provided the dead weight of the assembly, including 6 frame '12, belt 84 and motor 104, is sufficient, spring 136 may' beomitted. Y

As. shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 6, 8 and 9, spring 136 has one end mounted on a block 135` on screw 128, and its free end bears 'on the inner face of channel 33. If desired, two compression springs 136 may be used. However, a single spring 136 has been found to give satisfactory results.

In the embodiments illustrated in Figures l and 10, belts 84 and 284 are made of rubber coated canvas or the like. If desired, however,l it can be formed of leather, or a suitable plastic, or made up of laminated material suitable for the purpose. The material employed, however, should be one which will have little or no abrasive action in order to prevent marring the surface of balls being handled by ball lift 25 or 250.

At its lower end, Figure l, frame 72 is provided with a stud shaft 139 to which are attached spaced links 140, 141, preferably formed integrally with a common hub 142 loosely mounted on a shaft 144 having its ends supported in bosses 146, 148 on upstanding flanges 150 forming a part of bottom plate 38. The provision of a common hub 142 provides additional insurance against tui'm ing of tube 76 and pulley 88 supported thereby relative to rod '74 and pulley 86 carried thereby. Link 140 is pro vided with a projection 143' in which is mounted an adjustable set screw 152 by means of which the downward movement of frame 72 can be limited as desired for satisfactoryy operation of ball lift 25. i

As Shown in Figures l, 2 and 3, when a bowling ball is pushed or rolled from pit P where it rests on pit mat 154, or from pit P' where it rests on pit mat 155, it rolls through an opening 21 onto an inclined guide member, such'as plate 156, and onto a trip or treadle 160, preferably positioned in the center of the ball lift with the midpoint of treadle located in alignment with the center 'of belt 84 and midway between track rails 51. As indicated in Figures 2 and 3, a guide 156 is provided adjacent each opening 21 through which balls move from pit P or P onto treadle 160. If desired, treadle 160 may be' located in some other suitable operative position, pro vided, however, that it be so positioned that it is engaged by a bowling ball entering ball lift 25 from either pit P or P'.

Treadle 160 preferably forms an integral part of one arm of a lever 162 loosely mounted on a stationary shaft 164 having one end supported in a boss 166 formed on a flange of base plate 38. The other end of shaft 164 is supported in a suitable bearing bracket 168 suitably fixed to bottom plate 38. Lever 162 is also provided with an arm 170 having attached thereto or formed inte# grally therewith an extension 172 (Figure 5) which is` located beneath, and is adapted to engage, a toggle desig nated generally 174 when ball lift 25 is ready or in cocked position prior to the arrival of a ball to be lifted, between belt 84 and track 50 (see Figures 1 and 3).

Toggle 174 is formed of a lever 176 having one end pivoted on shaft 164 and its other end pivotally connected at 178 to a link 180, the other end of which is pivoted by a pin 181 to link 141. Link 180 is provided adjacent its pivotal connection with lever 176 with a slot or groove 182 and a face 184. Adapted to fit in slot 1824 is an elongated nose 183 formed integrally with lever 176, which lever also has a face 186 coacting with face- 184. The arrangement is such that when toggle 174 is.l broken, link and lever 176 swing upwardly, asy viewed in Figure l, which results in frame 72 moving: downwardly and inwardly relative to track 50, and belt. 84 moves into operative ball lifting relationship with a. ball on receiving portion 52 of track 50. When, how-` ever, toggle 174 is made, belt 84 is held away fronrtrack 50.

At this time, faces 184 and 186 are in engagement. and link 180 and lever 176 are maintained in straight line relationship. A spring 188 having one end attachedvto.-

7 lever 176, and its other end secured to a bracket 190 fast to plate 38, acts to hold link 180 and lever 176 in straight line relationship and ball lift 25 in ready or cocked position. See Figure 1.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate diagrammatically the operation of the ball lift. Figure 8 shows the relative positions of frame 72 and belt 84 with respect to track 50 after a ball has operated treadle 160 and broken toggle 174. In this gure a ball is shown as being rolled by belt 84 upwardly along track 50. Figure 9 shows a later stage of the operations. As indicated in this ligure, the ball shown in Figure 8, about to be discharged from ball lift 25, is being rolled along delivery section 56 of track 50. Due to the inclination of belt 84 with respect to track 50, and in order to provide space for a ball to move upwardly, track portion 56, which is closer to belt 84 than track portion 54, is directed away from the plane of belt 84. Hence as the ball rolls along track portion 56, belt 84 is maintained under tension and frame 72 is moved away from track 50 compressing spring 136. The increased tension on belt 84 also results in pulleys 86 and 88 moving towards each other as rod 74 and tube 76 move relatively axially inwardly and compress spring 80. The relationship is such that proper belt pressure against a ball is maintained by a combination of the dead weight of belt 84 and frame 72, and the pressure of spring 136. The pressure exerted by spring 136 insures that a ball will be lifted at all times.

As ball I reaches the end of delivery portion 56 of track 50 for discharge onto return runway R, the force exerted thereby upon belt 84 and hence frame 72, is such as to swing frame 72 rearwardly or away from track 50 on links 122 and 140, 141, thereby automatically making toggle 174 and recocking ball lift 25 ready for lifting ball II, which as soon as ball I is delivered onto runway R, trips treadle 160 and starts a new ball lifting cycle. As indicated hereinabove, conveyor belt 84 of ball lift 25 preferably is driven continuously. When a ball to be lifted depresses treadle 160, the resulting breaking of toggle 174 causes belt 84 to be moved towards track 50 thereby eiiecting the substantially simultaneous gripping and raising of the ball.

In some cases it may be desirable to drive conveyor belt 84 intermittently -or only when a Iball is positioned between belt 84 and track 50 ready for lifting. One way of obtaining this result is to drive motor 104 only when a ball has entered ball lift 25. A suitable control for driving motor 104, which drives pulley 86, is shown diagrammatically in Figure 7. Motor 104 is shown connected in a circuit receiving power from lines 200 and 202. When treadle 160 is located in ball receiving position, that is, when toggle 174 is made, extension 172 on arm 170 of lever 162 presses against a normally open switch 204. When, however, a ball arrives on treadle 160, extension 172 is moved away from switch 204 which closes, thereby making a circuit through the coil of a relay 206 closing contacts 208 and making a circuit through motor 104, thereby driving belt 84 to lift the ball. Energization of relay 206 also pulls in relay 210 which closes contacts 212 and maintains the circuit through motor 104 until the ball is lifted and delivered onto return runway R. As the ball rolls along runway R, it engages and depresses a trip 214, opening switch 216, thereby deenergizing relay 210, and breaking the circuit through motor 104, stopping the movement of belt 84 until the next ball to be lifted causes the same operating sequence described.

A modied form of ball lift, designated generally 250, is shown in Figures l and ll. In this embodiment, ball lift 250 is provided with an endless ball lifting conveyor 284 spaced from and coacting with a ball track designated generally 251 having a ball receiving portion 252 positioned adjacent one side of the pit of a bowling alley. As in the case of ball lift 25, ball lift 250 can be used with a single bowling alley, or between kickbacks adjacent pits P, P of two adjacent bowling alleys A and B.

When installed in the preferred manner, kickback 20 or kickbacks 20 are cut away, to provide space for the ball lift to be installed. When employed with an alley or alleys on which pins are set by a pin boy, space is provided for the boy to move back and forth from lone alley to another.

As shown in Figure l0, curved ball receiving portion 252 of track 251 is positioned between two kickbacks 20 of two side-by-side alleys, and by means of openings 21 in annular guard rings 23, a ball removed from a pit P or P of either alley rolls from either pit mat 154 or 155 through an opening 21 in side cover plate 257 onto guideway 259 which is downwardly inclined towards the receiving end of ball receiving portion 252 of track 251. In

f this manner a ball from either alley A or B can roll into position to be engaged and gripped by belt 284 which is gravity biased downwardly by the dead weight of frame 272 and the mechanism supported thereby.

As illustrated in Figure 10, endless belt 284 runs on pulleys 286 and 288 rotatably supported in the upper and lower ends respectively of frame 272. Frame 272 is generally the same in construction as frame 72 shown in Figure l. Upper pulley 286 is xed to a shaft 290 rotatably mounted in the spaced arms of a fork 292 attached to or formed integrally with a tubular frame member 276. Shaft 290 is driven continuously by means of a pulley 293 fast thereto on which runs a belt 294 running on a pulley (not shown) driven by a motor (not shown) or a drive shaft of a bowling pin spotting machine (not shown) if the ball lift is used in conjunction with such machine.

Lower pulley 288 is rotatably mounted on a stud shaft 296 supported in spaced arms of a fork 298 attached to a rod 300 telescopically mounted in tubular frame member 276. A spring (not shown) located within tubular frame member 276, presses against the free end of rod 300, and urges tubular frame member 276 and rod 300 apart, thereby providing a resilient support for belt 284, enabling it to be properly tensioned at all times while belt 284 is engaging and rolling a ball up and along track 251.

Referring to Figure l0, it will be seen that the upper portion of frame 272 or tubular frame member 276 is supported by spaced links 302, one end of each link 302 being secured to one side of tubular frame member 276 by a pin 304. The other end of each link is pivotally connected to a ange of channel 306 to which track 251 is attached and supported in operative arrangement. As shown in Figure 10, the top portion of channel 306 is reduced in order to permit track portion 256 to be inclined outwardly and away from belt 284. The lower portion of frame 272 is supported by two spaced links 308. Each link 308 is pivotally connected at one end at 310 to an arm of fork 298. At its other end, each link 308 is pivotally mounted at 312 on a ange of channel 306. The provision of upper and lower spaced links 302 and 308 insures that pulleys 286 and 288 will support belt 284 in proper operative relationship with track 251. They also permit frame 272 to move upwardly whenever a ball is engaged and wedged by belt 284 and rolled thereby along track 251. In order to limit the extent of downward movement of frame 272 relative to track 251 and maintain belt 284 properly positioned for engagement with a ball rolling into contact therewith, one link 302 is provided with an adjustable set screw 314 mounted on bracket 316 attached to a llange of channel 306. Set screw 314 is so adjusted that when ball lift 250 is ready for operation, pulley 288 and the portion of belt 284 passing therearound are spaced from ball receiving portion 252 of track 251 a distance less than the diameter of a bowling ball to be lifted. This distance is indicated n Figure l0 as D.

In operation when a bowling ball delivered in any suitable rnanner from pit P or pit P' of either alley rolls down guideway 259, and reaches a point of tangency with belt ananas 284 in passing beneath frame 272, the pressure due t the weightv of frame 272 and belt 284, and the fric'tional force exerted by belt 284 on the ball, cause frame 272 to move upwardly away from track portion' 252. The ball is firmly gripped and held by belt 284 upon track portion 252 and rolled therealong. Continued pressure exerted by belt 284 on the ball rolls it upwardly along track portion 254 and thence onto ball delivery portion 256 of track 251 where it is delivered onto runway R. Following the delivery of a ball onto runway R, frame 272 resumes the position shown in Figure awaiting the arrival of th'enext ball between belt 284 and ball receiving track portion 252.

In both forms of the invention illustrated, belts 84 and 284 are so positioned and supported relative to tracks 50 and 251, that they also propel each ball delivered from tracks 50 and 251, respectively, along return runways R, and hence accelerate the return of a ball to a player.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in View, the invention consists in certain combinations and constructions which will be hereinafter fully described, and then set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

What we claim is:

l. A bowling ball handling device comprising a substantially vertical ball track, a ball return runway located adjacent the upper end of said track, a ball engaging and lifting conveyor having a traveling substantially unbroken continuous ball engaging surface, supports mounting said conveyor for movement to position said surface in ball engaging `and lifting position relative to said track, a ball receiving member between said surface and said track, mechanism operating in response to the arrival of a ball on said member for effecting the movement of said surface into engagement with said ball to hold said ball firmly on said track, and meansfor driving said conveyor, whereby said surface rolls said ball up said track and onto said return runway.

2. A bowling ball return apparatus comprising a sub-` stantially vertical ball return track including `a curved ball receiving portion, an elongated substantially vertical central portion, and a ball delivering portion inclined at an angle to the plane of said central portion, support means mounting said track with said ball receiving portion adjacent the pit of a bowling alley and said deliverf` ing portion adjacent an elevated bowling ball return runway, an endless conveyor spaced from said track, means for positioning a ball delivered from said pit Onsaid receiving portion of said track in position to be engaged by said conveyor, means mounting said conveyor and track for relative movement towards each other in response to the arrival of a ball on said positioning means to grip said ball, and means for driving said conveyor to roll said ball gripped between said conveyor and said track upwardly along said central and delivery portions of said track for delivery by said delivery portion onto said runway.

3. A bowling ball return apparatus comprising a ball return track including a curved ball receiving portion, an elongated substantially vertical central portion, and a ball delivering portion inclined at an angle to said central portion, support means mounting said track with said ball receiving portion adjacent the pit of a bowling alley and said delivering portion substantially in alignment with an elevated bowling ball return runway, an endless ball lifting conveyor, a frame for said conveyor, means supporting said conveyor in spaced relation with and at an angle with said track, means for positioning a ball delivered from said pit on said receiving portion of said track in position to be engaged by said conveyor, a trip engaged by said ball, and means actuated by said trip in response to its engagement by a ball for biasing `said conveyor into engagement with said ball, and means for driv- .ing said vconveyor to roll said ball upwardly along said 10 track for delivery by said delivery portion onto said ruita way.-

4. A bowling ball return apparatus comprisingl a substantially vertical ball track, a bowling ball conveyor, a frame #for said conveyor, pivoted links supporting said frame for movement to and from said track, means holding said conveyor in inoperative position, means positioning a ball between said Aconveyor and said track, a device engaged by said ball for releasing said holding means whereby said frame moves said lconveyor into engage ment with said ball, means for driving said conveyor, and means operative in response to the engagement of a ball by said conveyor and the rol-ling of said ball upwardly along said track for effecting upward and rearward movement of said frame to re-engage said holding means and return said conveyor to said inoperative position.

5. A bowling ball return apparatus comprising a substantially vertical ball track, said track having` a lower ball receiving portion and an upper ball discharge portion, supports mounting said track with said receiving portion positioned adjacent the pit of a bowling alley, guide means for directing a ball onto said receiving portion, a conveyor having an endless ball engaging and conveying surface, a support for said conveyor, upper and lower pivoted links mounting said support for movement to and from said track, a toggle associated with said lower links for holding the lower portion of said ball engaging and conveying surface spaced from said ball receiving portion of said track a distance greater than the `diameter of a ball, a device operative in response to a ball moving between said lower portion of said surface and said track for breaking said toggle, whereby said surface is biased into ball engaging relationship with said ball, and means for driving said conveyor to cause said surface to roll said ball upwardly along said track for discharge from said discharge portion. y p

6. The apparatus dehned in claim 5, including resilient means associated with said links, and means operated by a ball rolling along said discharge portion of said track `for making said toggle and setting said apparatus for Vlifting the next ball engaging said toggle breaking device. Y

7. A bowling ballvlift apparatus comprising a substantially vertical Aball track, a ball runway positioned to receive `a ball discharged from said track, a conveyor spaced` from said track and substantially co-extensive therewith, means mounting said conveyor for movement to and from said track, said means including supports for said conveyor positioning the upper portion of said conveyor from said track a distance less than the maximum diameter of a bowling ball and the lower portionV of said conveyor from said track a distance .greater than the maximum diameter of a bowling ball, means operated by a ball moving between said track and the lower portion of said conveyor for electing the movement of the lower portion of said conveyor into engagement with said ball, whereby said ball is gripped between said lower portion of said conveyor and said track, means for driving said conveyor to travel said ball up said track for discharge therefrom onto said ball runway, and means operated in response to the movement of said balljby Asaid upper portion of said conveyor for moving said lower portion of said conveyor away from said track and repositioning said lower portion therefrom a distance greater than the maximum diameter of a bowling ball.

8. A bowling ball lift apparatus comprising a substantially vertical ball track having a lower ball receiving portion and an upper ball discharge portion, a ball return runway positioned to receive a ball discharged from said track, a conveyor frame, an upper and a lower pulley mounted on said frame, an endless ball gripping and conveying surface running on said pulleys, means for driving one of saidpulleys, movable supports mount:`

ing said frame to locate said surface in a plane inclined with respect to said track with the upper portion of said surface spaced from said discharge portion of said track a distance less than the diameter of a ball, and said lower portion of said surface spaced from said receiving portion of said track a distance greater than the diameter of a ball, a toggle connected to one of said supports, a ball trip connected to said toggle, means positioning said trip to be engaged by a ball moving between said ball receiving portion of said track and said lower portion of said surface for breaking said toggle, whereby said conveyor is gravity biased towards said track and said lower portion of said conveyor engages said ball and propels said ball up said track and out of said apparatus onto said return runway, and means operative in response to the movement of said ball into gripped rolling relationship with said upper portion of said conveyor for moving said lower portion of said conveyor away from said track a distance greater than the maximum diameter of a bowling ball and resetting said toggle.

9. A bowling ball handling apparatus comprising a ball return track, a ball return runway positioned to receive a ball delivered from said track, a ball conveyor spaced from and extending along said track, means mounting said conveyor for movement relative to said track, means for guiding a ball between said track and said conveyor, a device normally holding said conveyor in inoperative position relative to said track, and a trip operative in response to the movement of a ball between said track and conveyor for releasing said device, whereby said conveyor moves into engagement with said ball and rolls said ball along said track and onto said runway.

l0. The bowling ball return apparatus defined in claim 3, including means automatically operative in response to the delivergI of a ball from said apparatus for repositioning said conveyor in an inoperative position spaced from said track a distance greater than the diameter of a bowling ball, and means operative in response to the repositioning of said conveyor for resetting said trip.

ll. The apparatus defined in claim 5, wherein said support for said conveyor comprises a telescopic frame, a pulley mounted at each end of said frame, said endless ball engaging and conveying surface running on said pulleys, said telescopic frame including two opposed members and a spring between said opposed members operative to tension said endless ball engaging and conveying surface.

12. A bowling ball handling apparatus comprising a substantially vertical ball track, a ball runway located adjacent the top of said track, a ball engaging and propelling conveyor spaced from said track, means delivering a ball to be lifted between said track and said conveyor, means operative by said ball for effecting relative inward movement between said conveyor and said track to grip said ball for lifting, means for driving said conveyor to roll said ball along said track for delivery onto said ball runway, and means for maintaining a continuous resilient grip by said track and conveyor on said ball as said ball is rolled upwardly along said vertical track, and delivered by said conveyor onto said runway.

13. The bowling ball handling apparatus defined in claim 12 including means normally supporting said track and said conveyor in spaced apart ball receiving position, and means operative by a ball about to be delivered from said track by said conveyor onto said runway for repositioning said track and conveyor in said spaced apart ball receiving relationship.

14. A bowling ball handling apparatus comprising a ball return track, a ball return runway, a ball conveyor spaced from and extending along said track, means for guiding said ball between said track and said conveyor, a latch device for maintaining said conveyor and track spaced apart a distance greater than the diameter of a ball, and means operative in response to the movement of a ball between said conveyor and said track for unlatching said device to effect a relative inward movement between said track and conveyor, whereby said ball is gripped by said conveyor and said track, and means for driving said conveyor to roll said ball up said track for delivery from said track onto said ball return runway.

15. The apparatus defined in claim 14 including means operated by a ball about to be delivered onto said runway for resetting said latching device.

16. The apparatus defined in claim 15 including manually operated means for resetting said latching device.

17. A bowling ball handling apparatus comprising a substantially vertical ball track, a ball runway, a ball engaging and propelling conveyor belt having a ball engaging lap extending along, and beyond the top end of said track, means for locating a bowling ball between said lap of said conveyor belt and said track, means operative in response to the positioning of said ball between said lap of said conveyor belt and said track for effecting relative inward movement between said lap of said conveyor belt and said track whereby said ball is gripped by said lap of said conveyor belt and said track and held therebetween for lifting, means for driving said conveyor belt to roll said ball upwardly along said substantially vertical track for delivery onto said ball runway, and means mounting said conveyor for engaging said lap of said belt constantly with said ball during the upward movement of said ball along said track.

18. A bowling ball return apparatus comprising a substantially vertical ball track, a bowling ball conveyor, supports mounting said conveyor in spaced relation with said track, said supports including means normally positioning a portion of said conveyor which is adapted to discharge a ball from said track a distance from said track less than the diameter of said ball whereby a ball engaged and conveyed by said portion of said conveyor is firmly gripped and held against retrograde movement on said track, said supports also positioning a portion of said conveyor spaced from said track a distance greater than the maximum diameter of said ball thereby providing space for a ball to be received between said lastnamed portion of said conveyor and track, means for locating a ball between said last-named portion of said conveyor and said track, mechanism for effecting relative movement between said track and said last-named portion of said conveyor to grip said ball therebetween and means for driving said conveyor to roll said ball along said track into the range of operation of said firstnamed portion of said conveyor for discharge thereby from said track.

19. A bowling ball return apparatus comprising a substantially vertical ball track, said track having a lower ball receiving portion and an upper ball discharge portion, supports mounting said track with sai-d receiving portion positioned adjacent the pit of a bowling alley, guide means for directing a ball onto said receiving portion, a conveyor having an endless ball engaging and conveying surface, support means mounting said conveyor and track for relative movement to and from each other, a trip device operatively connected to said support means, said trip device inclu-ding a ball actuated trip operative in response to the engagement of a ball therewith for operating said device, means operative in response to the actuation of said device for effecting relative movement of said conveyor and track towards each other to grip and firmly hold therebetween a ball to be lifted, and means for driving said conveyor to roll said ball along said track.

20. The bowling ball return apparatus defined in claim 3, wherein said means supporting said conveyor includes means operative in response to the delivery of a ball onto said runway for repositioning said conveyor away from said track, and means for resetting said trip in response to the repositioning of said conveyor.

21. A bowling ball return apparatus comprising a substantially vertical ball return track, a ball return runway positioned to receive balls delivered from said track, an endless belt conveyor having a ball engaging lap spaced from and extending along said track, frame means supporting said conveyor, means for delivering la ball between said track and said frame to cause said ball to be gripped by said lap of said belt and said track. and means for driving said conveyor to cause said `lap of said conveyor to roll said ball upwardly along the track for delivery onto said return runway, means mounting said frame means for movement towards and away from said track, said means being constructed and arranged to allow said frame means to move downwardly and towards said track under the inlluence of gravity, whereby said ball is operative in response to its engagement with said belt and its movement along said track to move said belt and frame upwardly and away from said track, the gravity bias of said frame being operative to maintain said belt in resilient engagement with said ball during its trave-l along said track for discharge onto said runway.

22. A bowling ball return apparatus comprising a substantially vertical ball return track, a ball return runway positioned to receive balls delivered from said track, a continuously driven ball conveyor spaced from and extending along said track, movable supports for positioning said conveyor from said track a distance less than the diameter of a ball, means for delivering a ball between said track and sai-d conveyor while said conveyor is so positioned to cause said ball to be held by said conveyor on said track, and means for driving said conveyor to roll said ball upwardly along said track for dclivery onto said return runway, said movable supports being constructed and arranged to allow said conveyor to move downwardly and towards said track under the influence of gravity, whereby said ball is operative in response to its engagement with said conveyor and its movement along said track to move said conveyor upwardly and away from said track, the gravity bias of said conveyor being operative to maintain said conveyor in engagement with said ball during its travel along said track for discharge onto said runway.

23. The bowling ball return apparatus defined in claim 21, wherein said means mounting said frame for movement towards `and away from said track comprises pivotally supported levers connected to said frame means, and means limiting the extent of downward movement of said frame toward said track.

24. In a bowling ball return apparatus, a substantially vertical ball return track, `a ball return runway positioned to receive balls delivered from said track, an endless belt conveyor having a ball engaging lap spaced from and extending along said track, =a frame supporting said conveyor, said frame comprising an elongated body member and a pulley mounted at each end of said body member, means for delivering a ball between said track and said frame to cause said ball to be gripped by said lap of said belt and said track, and means for driving said conveyor to cause said lap of said conveyor to roll said ball upwardly along the track for delivery onto said return runway, spaced sets of links pivotally connected to said body member mounting said frame for movement toward and away from said track, said sets of links being constructed and arranged to allow said frame to move downwardly towards said track under the inliuence of gravity, whereby said ball is operative in response to its engagement with said belt and its movement along said track to move said belt and frame upwardly and away from said track, the gravity bias of said frame being operative to maintain said belt in resilient engagement with said ball during its travel along said track for discharge onto said runway.

25. In a bowling alley installation having two side by side alleys separated by spaced kickbacks, a bowling ball return `apparatus positioned between said kickbacks, said apparatus comprising a substantially vertical bowling ball track having an upper ball delivery portion and a lower ball receiving portion, a ball return runway positioned adjacent said delivery portion to receive a ball -discharged from said delivery portion, an endless ball engaging and lifting conveyor, said conveyor having a continuous ball engaging and rolling surface, a frame supporting said conveyor, movable means mounting said frame for movement toward and away from said track, means for delivering a bowling ball removed from the pit of either of sai-d alleys between said conveyor and track to cause said ball to be held on said track by said conveyor, and means for driving said conveyor to travel said ball positively and resiliently along substantially the entire length of said track and onto said return runway, said mounting means being constructed 4and arranged to allow said frame to move downwardly and towards said track under the influence of gravity, whereby said ball is operative in respouse to its engagement with said conveyor and its movement along said track to move said belt and frame upwardly and away from said track, the gravity bias of said frame being operative to maintain said conveyor in resilient engagement with said ball during its travel along said track for discharge onto said runway.

26. The invention deined in claim 21 wherein said means mounting said frame means for movement towards and away from said track include means for positioning the upper portion of said belt adjacent the top of said track a distance therefrom less than the maximum diameter of a ball, whereby retrograde movement of a ball rolled along said track by said belt is prevented.

27. The invention defined in claim 21 wherein said track is provided with a ball receiving portion and a ball delivering portion, support means mounting said ball return track with said ball receiving portion in position to receive a ball delivered thereto by said ball delivering means and with said delivering portion substantially in alignment with said ball return runway, and adjustable means for limiting the extent of downward movement of said belt conveyor relative to said ball receiving portion of said track.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,375,835 Fairchild Apr. 26, 1921 2,019,607 Hedenskoog Nov. 5, 1935 2,205,217 Morrill June 18, 1940 2,207,643 Strong July 9, 1940 2,600,918 Pohl June 17, 1952 2,682,405 Huck June 29, 1954 2,699,944 Keesling Jan. 18, 1955 

